Textile plants, like so many other United States industries, are nearly non-existent in the South, where it once was a booming industry. So these days, clothing has to state “Made in America” for consumers to know a textile was manufactured here.

One clothing company has made a point to not only make its products in the Carolinas, but to support an environmental cause close to home.

Loggerhead Apparel, started in 2011 by Zac and Sara Painter in Greenville, S.C., manufactures American-made polo shirts, T-shirts and other clothing and donates 10 percent of the selling price to a variety of organizations that protect the endangered loggerhead turtles in the Carolinas.

Kinston’s H. Stadiem began carrying the company’s signature Bellwether360 Polo and T-shirts, as well as children’s T-shirts and onesies, about two weeks ago, Alan Stadiem, department manager, said.

“We’ve got a variety of colors,” he said.

Stadiem said he met the Painters about two years ago in Charlotte and was impressed with the donation aspect.

“The conservation of wildlife is very appealing,” he said.

Stadiem said the store will be getting more merchandise over the next month.

The Painters opened their business, each with a different reason in mind. Zac Painter, who grew up as the grandson of a mill worker in the textile town of Spartanburg, S.C., couldn’t help but notice the lack of textile mills in recent years, Sara Painter said.

“The textile industry is all but gone,” she said, “much like the furniture industry of North Carolina. Loggerhead Apparel’s mission is to bring attention, and much needed funding, back to the Carolinas in an effort to enhance and maintain what makes our region unique.”

Sara Painter grew up along the coast, north of Charleston, S.C. Her heart became entwined with the dwindling numbers of loggerheads as she was growing up with her father, who was involved in conservation efforts.

The couple started their business, got married and had a baby, merging his concern for rejuvenating American-made products with her interest in protecting an endangered animal.

“We wanted to bring awareness back to American products made in the U.S., the South and the Carolinas,” Sara Painter said.

The pima cotton — durable, lightweight and soft — is grown in Arizona, the yarn is spun in Georgia and the dying, sewing and finishing is done in South Carolina, she said.

Painter said they have donated a portion of their product sales to a number of loggerhead conservation groups, including Bald Head Island Conservancy and Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina.

“We will donate to an organization on behalf of a particular store,” she said. “Our retailers really benefit from this because there’s a story to tell.”

Page 2 of 2 - Loggerhead Apparel products are also available at The Bookshop in Morehead City and the Sportsman Toy Store and VashTi Fine Apparel in New Bern. Visit loggerheadapparel.com.

His grandfather migrated from Greece to New York in 1900, where he worked in the restaurant industry. He later moved to Wilson and opened a restaurant there. Later, he sold it and opened The Busy Bee in Kinston.

His father opened Christopher’s in 1969, and Maroules began working with him in 1981 until his father suffered a stroke. He’s headed up the downtown restaurant since then. His son joined him recently and will be taking over the café on May 1.

“It’s hard to walk away from it,” Maroules said.

But Maroules said his son is conscientious and pays attention to the quality of food, and the food will remain the same as their customers have come to expect.

Maroules said he will be available through the end of April as a consultant, and he plans on spending the summer gardening, doing some boating and tackling a bucket list of to-dos.

“It’s just time,” he said, “and it’s time for me to sit back and do what I want to do.”

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.